It’s no secret that brushing your dog’s teeth is essential. In fact, it’s just as important as brushing your own teeth! However, do you know how to brush dog’s teeth? Seems simple enough until you tackle the task.
Remember, regular brushing not only keeps their teeth clean and healthy, but it can also help prevent bad breath and other dental problems. Below, we will discuss how to brush your dog’s teeth properly, as well as some tips for keeping them healthy.
Why Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Brushing your dog’s teeth can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Proper dental care for dogs is also crucial for keeping their overall health intact because it keeps bacteria from spreading throughout the body, which negatively affect other organs like the heart or liver.
Although 95% of dog owners brush their teeth daily, only 8% brush their dogs teeth on a daily basis. So if you think that you are late to the game, don’t feel bad. Better late than never.
Furthermore, smaller dog breeds suffer from oral issues more often than large ones, even more of a reason to start brushing their teeth even if your dog is already an adult.
When to start brushing?
The earlier you start brushing your dog’s teeth, the better! You can start with puppy dental care as early as six weeks, when you can slowly start introducing them to their first toothbrush.
If possible, it is best if this happens before they even get their adult teeth so that they can learn how critical dog dental care is while they’re still young and impressionable. You should continue to brush dogs teeth at least twice a week, even after they’ve reached adulthood.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
You should brush your dog’s teeth once per day, but if you have the time, it is recommended that you brush twice a day. The morning brush helps remove any leftover food from the night before, while the evening brush is geared towards getting rid of plaque and tartar build-up.
Plaque on dog teeth is one of the leading causes of gum disease, so it’s essential to try to get rid of it as much as possible!
What type of toothbrush should I use?
There are many types of toothbrushes that you can use to brush your dog’s teeth. Some people prefer a standard human-sized toothbrush, while others like something smaller and more compact such as the Finger Brush with bristles on each side.
It really depends on how comfortable you feel about using either one; just make sure that whatever size brush you choose has soft bristles to not hurt their gums or teeth.
Can I use a regular toothbrush to brush my dog’s teeth?
Yes, you can use a regular toothbrush to brush your dog’s teeth. But how effective it is in removing plaque and how comfortable they feel about having their gums touched will depend on how sensitive they are at the time of brushing and what type of bristles were used, soft or hard.
A good rule of thumb is that if your pup doesn’t like how something feels, don’t force them to endure it, or they’ll associate the act with pain instead of pleasure!
Can I use toothpaste on my dog?
Yes, you can use toothpaste on your dog as long as it is a canine-specific toothpaste and not human toothpaste. Human toothpaste is often too abrasive for dogs’ delicate gums and teeth and can cause more harm than good if used regularly.
Dog toothpaste comes in many different flavors, so your pup will be able to enjoy the experience while keeping their breath fresh at the same time!
Why is pet toothpaste recommended?
Pet teeth cleaning toothpaste is recommended because it is specifically designed to be gentle on a dog’s teeth and gums. It also comes in many different flavors, so your pup will enjoy the experience of brushing its teeth!
Plus, using pet toothpaste helps keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh.
Tips to Teach Your Dog to Accept Tooth Brushing?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as some dogs will be more resistant to tooth brushing than others. However, there are a few general tips that can help make the process easier:
- Start slowly and introduce the idea of tooth brushing gradually. Puppies may not be used to having anything touch their teeth, so it may take some time for them to get used to the sensation.
- Make tooth brushing a fun and positive experience by using treats or toys as rewards.
- Be patient and consistent with your efforts. It may take a while for your dog to get comfortable with having their teeth brushed, but they will eventually get used to it if you stick with it.
How to Brush Dog’s Teeth: Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that we are familiar with why maintaining your dog’s teeth is an important part of regular dog grooming, let’s go into our step-by-step instructions on how to brush them properly.
What you will need:
– A toothbrush with soft bristles and preferably made specifically for dogs
– Dog Toothpaste or other dog dental hygiene products such as mouthwash and chews. Some of these products may be flavored so that your pet likes the taste better than human toothpaste, which is often too strong for them to tolerate well enough without gagging on it.
– A dog toothbrush or canine dental wipes
– Gauze pads or cotton balls soaked in water so they can be used as a makeshift washcloth for cleaning up any messes during the process (optional).
Step One: Make sure your dog has plenty of time to get used to its new toothbrush.
To make this process easier on both you and your pup, it’s vital that they have enough exposure to the brushing experience beforehand so they don’t feel like anything is being forced upon them against their will.
Allow your dog to get comfortable with their toothbrush at least one week before beginning the brushing process.
Step Two: Start by wetting your dog’s teeth with water.
The easiest way to do this is to hold a cup of water up to their mouth and let them drink as much as they want. Then, once their teeth are wet, you can begin to brush them with the toothbrush.
Step Three: Apply a small amount of canine toothpaste to the toothbrush’s bristles.
Be sure not to put too much paste on the brush, as it will be difficult to remove and can end up getting swallowed by your pup.
Step Four: Gently move the toothbrush back and forth across each individual tooth.
Make sure that you’re brushing all sides of their teeth, including the front, back, and top surfaces where plaque often collects.
If your dog has any trouble with this step or if they seem uncomfortable, do not force them to continue. Instead, try using a finger brush, which can be found at most pet stores, or switch to a gentler toothpaste designed for sensitive gums.
Step Five: Brush the chewing surfaces of their molars.
Since plaque and tartar tend to build up on the chewing surfaces of a dog’s molars, it’s important to brush these surfaces as well. You can do this by gently rubbing the bristles of the toothbrush against their molars, being careful not to push too hard.
Step Six: Rinse off your dog’s teeth and gums with water.
Make sure to rinse all of the toothpaste residue of their teeth and gums to avoid any potential stomach problems.
Step Seven: Reward your dog for its good behavior!
Once you’re finished brushing their teeth, give them a few treats as a reward for being such a good pup. Positive reinforcement will help ensure that they enjoy the experience of having their teeth brushed in the future!
How long should I spend brushing my dog’s teeth?
Your dog’s teeth should be cleaned at least three times per week and for about 30 seconds. Then gradually increase how long you spend on each tooth.
You can also switch between two different types of toothpaste to help prevent plaque buildup in their mouth and make the dog teeth cleaning process more enjoyable for them. If your dog has particularly bad breath, you may need to brush its teeth more often.
Please consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about how often you should be brushing your dog’s teeth.
How to clean dogs’ teeth without brushing
There are a few dog dental cleaning options without brushing. If you have an older pet, they may not be able to tolerate toothbrushes anymore because of how sensitive their gums become over time and how much harder it is for them to keep those areas clean with just mouthwash alone.
The best option would be using dental wipes in conjunction with mouthwash. You may also want to consider dental chews or a dental bone.
What is a dental bone?
A dog’s teeth are different than ours and need extra care. A dental bone can help clean them with every chew! They’re also great for dogs that don’t like having their gums touched or brushed on by a stranger.
The best part is how easy they are to use: just give your pup one after every meal and watch how much cleaner their teeth will get over time!
Cleaning Dog’s Teeth Naturally
If you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your dog’s teeth, you can try using baking soda and water. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth.
Just mix one teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a paste, then brush it onto your pup’s teeth for 30 seconds before rinsing off with warm water.
How else to maintain dog teeth health?
Besides brushing their teeth, there are a few other things you can do to maintain healthy dog teeth:
- Give them chew toys and treats that help clean their teeth, such as rawhide bones or bully sticks.
- Regularly use a pet toothbrush or water hose to flush out any plaque or tartar on dog teeth.
- Feed them a diet rich in protein and low carbs, which will help prevent plaque build-up.
- Take your dog to the vet regularly for dental checkups – they can remove any tartar or plaque that you may have missed while brushing their teeth at home!
Conclusion
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an integral part of their overall health and well-being. Now that you know how to brush dog’s teeth, you can make the brushing process quick and easy – and help keep their teeth healthy for years to come!
